Kevin Banks, a Senior at Lincoln High School, Claims 1st Prize in 6th Annual Essay Contest

“As a young Black man from a single-parent household, I would like to defy the odds by becoming the first member of my immediate family to graduate from college. I am determined to make a positive impact on society but more importantly on my community. Being the second oldest of 8 (5 from my mother) and the oldest boy with 6 younger brothers, it is important for me to be a role-model to my brothers especially since our father has not been in any of our lives. I would also like to be a positive role-model to the youth from my neighborhood and show them the importance of a quality education and while we can use sports as a means to get to school we should focus on our educational endeavors to gain success.”

Kevin Banks-1st Place with teachers and advisors from Lincoln HS

We are thrilled to share the results of the annual A Bridge for Kids Essay Contest. Over 175 high school students from different parts of the county participated in the contest by submitting essays on their personal goals and the challenges they face in achieving them. Judged by a team of volunteers, the essays were evaluated based on their creativity, originality, clarity, and overall impact. Kevin Banks, a student from Lincoln High School in the Chollas View neighborhood of San Diego, emerged as the first-place winner, followed by Mayerling Colin from The Preuss School, UCSD, in second place, and Benjamin Lam from Helix Charter High School in third place. This year's contest had 10 winners from nine different San Diego high schools. Kevin Banks, the first-place winner, received a $2,500 sponsorship, while the second-place winner received $1,000, and the third to fifth place winners each received a $250 Amazon gift card. The sixth to tenth place winners were awarded a $100 Amazon gift card. We were delighted with the record number of essays we received this year and congratulate all the winners.

Mayerling Colin-2nd place from The Preuss School with Christobelle Tan (left, teacher) and Jessica Resendez (college advisor)

Benjamin Lam (3rd place) from Helix HS with college advisor Cathy Singer